Vortex Radio

Congratulations! You’ve found the world’s premier bar and restaurant-themed podcast. "Vortex Radio" will bring you some of the most authentic discussions about the bar business and the hospitality industry that you're likely to find anywhere, and from every angle imaginable. Hosted by Michael Benoit (Co-owner of The Vortex) and Rebecca Taub (General Manager of our Midtown location), podcast guests will include working servers and bartenders, other bar and restaurant owners, chefs, customers, local celebrities and anyone else with a unique perspective on the hospitality industry.
The Vortex Bar & Grill, Atlanta’s legendary burger and booze joint, has always rejected idiocy in an industry that frequently encourages it. So when problem customers slip through the cracks (and don’t follow the rules) -- hilarity often ensues. Join Michael and Rebecca as they tell the tales that no one’s ever heard -- until now! Be prepared to get sucked into Vortex Radio.

Jon Ludwig is the artistic director at Atlanta's own Center for Puppetry Arts. Located in Midtown, not far from The Vortex, The Center has been a unique cultural treasure since it opened in 1978; a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained. Joining Jon and hosting this episode is fellow puppeteer, Lucky Yates. Some interesting characters stop by as well so listen in!

This is one peachy episode! We're joined by Yuri Kato, the founder of Fruitland Augusta Vodka. Made from Georgia peaches, her Peach Vodka and Peach Tea Vodka are some of the tastiest spirits we've brought to our lips. Hank, VBC, Matty and Kelsey are also on this one so listen in!

On this special episode of Vortex Radio, Hank Benoit is the host! Joining him is the ever-faithful Vortex Baby Colin and three of Hank's buds from The Love Truncheon. What's a love truncheon? You'll have to listen to find out. I'll give you a hint though, it involves golf and a lot of booze.

This week we have the host of the Food Network's Ginormous Food and Stand-Up Comedian, Josh Denny. He's in town filming for the show and was gracious enough to come by and record with us. He has his own podcast as well! Check it out at March of the Pigs.

Eric Johnson is one of the Co-Founders and the Brewmaster for Wild Heaven Beer, a seven-year-old brewery located in Avondale Estates, Georgia. He's joined by their Director of Sales/ 5 time Vortex Radio guest Sarah Young. Listen in to learn about their latest offerings and Eric's diverse career. Oh Hank is also on this one and the whiskey was flowin’!

Lucky, Michael, Rebecca and VBC dive into some deep conversations on this one folks! You'll hear about Rebecca's exciting past, Lucky Yates' hidden talent for Native American art AND his secret desire to be mayor of the town of Cumming, GA. Listen in!

Have you seen Adult Swim’s live streams? Every weekday, they are making hilarious content LIVE in their Williams Street studio. Nick Gibbons, the host of the show “As Seen on Adult Swim,” and Sally Skinner, the show’s producer and the host of “Stupid Morning Bullshit,” join Michael, VBC and THE Lucky Yates. If you like the nonsense in this episode, you can catch “As Seen on Adult Swim” on the adultswim.com stream Wednesdays at 8 PM. Sally’s show is on every morning at 11 AM.

Southern Sky Brewing Company is a 100% family owned brewery. They have a small team, consisting of Brewmaster, Jon Near, Head Brewer, Josh Ingle, and Brewery Representative, James Robinson. The brewery also receives help from Jon's family and close friends. Listen in to get more information about them and their beers!

Mark Allen of Lazy Guy Distillery joins us on this episode. The first ever distillery in the city of Kennesaw, he focuses on delicious moonshines and whiskeys with flavors that will surprise even the most experienced whiskey drinker. Give this episode a listen and then go and see him for a tour every Saturday!

Have you been to Lips on Buford Highway? Don't know what it is? It's Atlanta's only true LaCage Drag Show Palace Experience! We're joined by their General Manager, Tyler King, and Atlanta's Bitch of the South and Lips' weekend MC, Mr. Charlie Brown.

Kristen Benoit is back on the podcast and she's brought two of her Bone Garden employees, Becca and Tricia, to talk about a very exciting Bone Garden exclusive. You'll have to listen in to find out what it is but I'll give you a hint: Tequila. If you want to read more about this exclusive, you can check out their blog at http://bit.ly/2usdRCS but you should listen to the episode first.

Do you like to walk on Atlanta's ever-popular BeltLine? Do you also enjoy a good IPA? WELL THEN, you better listen to this podcast because we have the three guys in charge of the upcoming New Realm Brewing. With a brewery, restaurant and rooftop beer garden right on the east side trail, these guys are sure to do big things in the ATL. Oh and their Brewmaster is Mitch Steele, the former Brewmaster of Stone Brewing. Yeah, he's on the podcast too.

ASW is a whiskey focused distillery near Midtown Atlanta, right near the SweetWater Brewery. We haven't had many distillers on so tune in for this unique view into a vital part of the bar business. Hey, we even have a few of their whiskeys at The Vortex!

Back on the podcast for a second time is Mike DiLonardo. Mike is a long time Vortex Radio fan and founder of Atlanta Beer Festivals. He's been putting on hugely successful events like the Great Atlanta Beer Festival, the Atlanta Brunch Festival and the Atlanta Summer Wine festival. Listen in!

We're joined by local beer blogger, Ale Sharpton. To help with the hosting, we're joined by our friends Hannah and Sarah! Lots of beers are enjoyed, which means the podcast eventually gets ridiculous and loops back to another conversation revolving around Vortex Baby Colin's love life... enjoy!

Jason Pellett, a trumpet playing extraordinaire turned brewer, is the Co-Founder, President and Brewmaster of the ever-popular Atlanta brewery, Orpheus. With a focus on out of the box sour beers, experimental IPAs and huge barrel aged beers; Orpheus Brewing is committed to creating beers that live up to their motto, “Don’t Look Back." They celebrate their third Anniversary this weekend so listen in as Jason gives us the run down on what owning a brewery for 3 years is like and why you should celebrate with them.

Chris Dauria, current owner of Johnny's Hideaway, is our guest this week. As one of the oldest nightspots in Atlanta, the Hideaway has a little something for everyone. Often described as the "Cheers" of Atlanta, it's a go-to spot for the over-40 crowd and a late-night destination for twenty-and thirty-somethings. If you've been there or not, you'll love this behind the scenes look at this classic Atlanta nightlife spot.

Mike Geier is an Atlanta, Georgia based singer and entertainer. He goes way back with The Vortex and works alongside Puddles the Clown from Puddles Pity Party. Don't know what that is? Listen in to find out!

We're joined by two employees of the infamous Clermont Lounge, Cassie and the legendary Blondie. The go-to club for celebrities, out of towners and locals a-like, the Clermont Lounge is one of the most well known strip clubs in the city and has been around since 1965. Listen in for the inside scoop on this Atlanta icon!

Lucky Yates and Amber Nash from Dad's Garage Theater and the voices of Dr. Krieger and Pam Poovey on FXX's archer jump on the podcast this week to talk about archer, Vortex Baby Colin's love life and... pimento cheese?

On April 20, 1992, Michael, Hank and Suzanne Benoit opened the doors to the original Vortex location for the first time. Now, 25 years later, they reflect on the crazy journey The Vortex has taken them on. This very special episode is hosted by Lucky Yates, a long time Vortex patron and the voice of Dr. Krieger on FX's Archer. Don't miss this one!

On this episode, we're joined by a couple of the guys from Arches Brewing. Focusing on the seasonality of beers, their ever-changing offerings never disappoint. Listen in as the gang takes a journey through some of their beers and, consequently, through beer history!

Hollis Gillespie is an award-winning humor writer, novelist, travel columnist, NPR commentator, travel expert for NBC’s Today Show, and previous guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She was also at The Vortex in the beginning sipping on cocktails and jotting down stories at the bar. Listen in to some Vortex history from her, Suzanne and Michael!